Career sustainability of pre-tenure academics in Chinese universities

This study investigates the career sustainability of pre-tenure academics in Chinese universities and examines the barriers they encounter in their pursuit of greater career sustainability. Utilising interviews with twenty academics and employing the Sustainable Careers Model as a conceptual framework, this research indicates that while productivity levels are generally satisfactory, there are notable concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of these individuals. Key barriers identified across institutions include an evaluation system based on peer comparisons, a complex array of required evaluation metrics, and perceptions of inadequate compensation. Additionally, academics at non-elite-focused universities appear to face comparatively greater financial challenges and concerns about their employability. This study highlights the worrying impact of the tenure-track system on academics’ health, happiness, and overall career sustainability in a higher education environment that emphasises a competition-driven approach to excellence. Our findings offer valuable insights for improving tenure-track structures to better support academic staff.

[50 free eprints]
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/KXWYNQFWAJIDYBJ4E2Q4/full?target=10.1080/1360080X.2025.2603992